Tyler Fletcher is the one Man Utd youngster to be given a debut by Michael Carrick so far, and he’s already seeing the rewards of it.
Due to fewer games this season and the team needing to achieve a specific goal, Michael Carrick hasn’t been in a position to rotate much.
Still, he’s been ever-present for the academy games and managed to start Tyler Fletcher’s Man Utd career with a memorable debut at Old Trafford.
Less than three months on from that debut, Fletcher has been rewarded at the international level as he prepares for a new debut.
Tyler Fletcher and Michael Carrick ahead of his debut for Manchester United.
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Tyler Fletcher called up for Scotland U21s debut
Fletcher has had a roundabout career at the international level, which is a story on its own.
His brother, Jack, plays for England, while Tyler has switched his allegiance to Scotland after being capped by England at the U16 level.
Since then, he has played for Scotland’s U16, U17, and U18, even captaining the U18 side last year.
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Having made his senior debut for Man Utd, he has been rewarded by earning his maiden call-up for the Scotland U21 side.
Team’s head coach, Scot Gemmill, said the promotion is down to Carrick’s decision to include Fletcher in matchday squads regularly.
He said: “I think it [his place in the matchday squad at United] is a really good measure of how well he is doing, to, obviously, be progressing at such a big club where the competition for places is so great.
“That really is a measure of the confidence we can have in him right now. I think he’s put himself in a really good position and it’s great to be able to recognise his progress and include him in the squad.”
Scotland U21s play European qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Portugal, where Fletcher will hope to make his debut for the side.
Next season will be crucial for Fletcher
Fletcher has been on the bench for the last six Premier League games under Carrick, which is a huge sign of trust in the player.
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However, a lack of games has led to him being rooted to the bench, because much more experienced players are called upon to see the games out.
Next season will be crucial for him, and with an impending summer rebuild in midfield, he might have to seek first-team opportunities out on loan.
The pre-season will be a great chance for him to make an impression and force himself into the first-team conversation.
His brother, Jack, is going through the same phase, but they will always have a debut to remember at Old Trafford for all their hard work.
Their journey at the club is far from done, and next season they should back themselves to find regular senior football.
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